Michelle Obama to visit China this month

Mar. 3, 2014
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First lady Michelle Obama. / Carolyn Kaster, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

First lady Michelle Obama will be doing some solo diplomacy this month, traveling to China for a week-long visit.

During the March 19-26 trip, Obama will make stops in the Chinese capital city of Beijing, the central city of Xian, and the southwestern city of Chengdu, with an emphasis on education.

"I'll be visiting a university and two high schools in Beijing and Chengdu (which are two of China's largest cities)," Obama wrote on the White House blog. "I'll be talking with students about their lives in China and telling them about America and the values and traditions we hold dear."

Obama's meetings also include one with Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The first lady will be accompanied by daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother Marian Robinson.

President Obama will not be on the China trip. Later that same week, he departs on a business trip to Europe and Saudi Arabia.